Red Dead Online guide: tips and tricks for missions, multiplayer modes and open world survival

The Red Dead Online beta is now live, so here’s what you can expect from it.

Red Dead Online comes with its own story and a host of new multiplayer modes, character creation and missions to complete solo or with friends. There’s also a battle royale-style mode called Make It Count which has 32 players battle it out for the top spot.

We’ve created this guide to give you all the top tips and advice to get the most out of the beta period, however long it lasts.

Red Dead Online single-player and co-op missions

In this mode, you can play solo or ride with a Posse with up to seven friends. You can go hunting and fishing together, set up a Camp, fight with other Posses or just roam the wilderness with your buddies.

XP and Ability Cards

All the XP you earn counts towards your rank in different areas, and there are 12 Award categories that will allow you to expand your combat, hunting, sharpshooter or survivalist skills. You’ll also allocate attribute points to your character at the start which you can choose depending on what play style you favour.

Honor

The Honor system is back in Red Dead Online. Not only will characters treat you differently depending on your Honor ranking, but it will also affect the outcome of certain quests whether you’re a hero or an outlaw.

A Land of Opportunities

These multi-part missions are playable with two-to-four players, and the missions can change course based on your actions within them. If your Honor ranking changes, expect the mission parameters to change accordingly.

Fast travel

Just like in Red Dead Redemption 2, you have the option to fast travel around the Red Dead Online map. This time, you’re looking for posts along the side of the road that will allow you to fast travel around the map for a cost. You’ll be able to fast travel from the start of the game and the ability to do so isn’t locked behind any missions. Once you get to rank 65 you’re able to unlock and buy your own Fast Travel post.

Red Dead Online: how to play with friends, join and invite players

In Free Roam, press the d-pad left to open the Free Roam menu. Select Players and you should be able to see Friends, Crew and Recent Players. Select Friends and choose which friend you want to play with and you’ll see you can invite them to join your session or if they are already playing, join their session.

You’ll also be able to see their Ability Loadout and Posse details if they have any. If there’s space, you can join their Posse and explore the world of Red Dead Online together.